1st Peter was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage believers for whom the storm clouds of persecution were gathering, just because they were Christians. To encourage them he first reminds them that suffering is temporary, and that faithful living in times of suffering will produce eternal benefits. He develops this theme to show that such a lifestyle, lived out in difficult and dangerous circumstances, is an effective witness to unbelievers, and will result in church growth - the very opposite effect intended by those who persecuted them.